Cut-off machine



Dec. 7 1926.v

| .V J. sHlELDs CUT-OFF MACHINE Filed Feb,

1-5. .1924 4 Sheets-Sheet l LyHon l' hnclds.

nu* A Dec. 1,1926.

L. J. SHIELDS CUT-OFF MACHINE Fild Feb. 15, 1924 4 sheets-sheet 2 IJgwvahloz LfHLoq 5. Lheldf Dec. 7 '192 Lf .LsHlELDs CUT-OFF MACHINE FiledFeb. 15, 1924 l4 Sheets-Sheet 25 Fai .5

Patented Bec. 7, 1925.

unirse sraras rarest insana:

risica'.

LY'r-fron J. sms-:Lus or sfr. PAUL, MNNnso'rA.

CUT-OFF MACHINE.

Application le February 15, 1924. `Sera No. 693,036.`

lengths as the stock travels through the machine.

A feat-ure of the invention resides. in providing a support that may beattached to any machine, which support carries a car'- riage having acutoff mechanism mounted thereon which automatically is arranged to cutoli the stock and Which is actuated by the engagement ot the stock Withcontrol mechanism connected with the cutotlq device proper.

A further feature of the invention resides in providing means forpermitting the carriage to travel along With the stock upon the supportWhile the stock is moving and the cutting operation is taking place, sothat the movement or' the stock is not arrested.

Another object of the invention resides in providing the carriage havinga cutoff mechanism and a continuously operating motor mounted thereontogether with means 'for momentarily connecting said cutoff mechanismWith the motor to operate the saine.

Another feature of the invention resides in providing means fordischarging the sections of stock severed from the machine proper.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing` means forquickly and effectively returning the carriage and mechanisms mountedthereon to normal position, which means includes a device :forpreventing shocks together' Vith a structure for preventing reboundingand a device adapted to exert a 'iressure upon the carriage to returnthe same which becomes inoperative after Figure 3 is a sectional viewtaken on line 3 3 ot Figure 2.

Figure 4 1s avsectional view of a portion of the 'cutoff device taken online 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional, detailed vievv of the clutch and trip mechanismtaken onv line 5--5 ot Figure 2.6 I

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 or" theresettinjg mechanism takenon line 6'-6 of `Figure Figure 7 is a vievv taken Online 7-#7 ot Figure6, 4

Figure' 8 is a' perspectivel view of one of the vvoocl separators as itwould appear vvhen cut. by my vdevice from a long strip ofvmaterial.

My invention may be used for a number of purposes,'such as cutting onf.sections ofv rubber,lmetal, fiber, paper or othermaterials, and isparticularly'desirable in use in the construction of Wood separators forstorage batteries. These separators are preterably formed in long sheetsby running the same through a sticker or suitable moulding machine togive the formation desired. InV the drawings I have illustrated aportion ot ra sticker indicated at A, consisting oit' a'table 10 and aleg or upright connected therewith` This device has not been illustratedin detail as such machines are novv Well known in the art' and formnoparticular feature ot the invention. rl`he stock 140 inl leaving thesticker A passesv in the directionindicated bythe arrow in Figure labove the table 10.

My invention proper consists primarily olf l a base B attached to thesticker A which has a carriage C mounted thereon adapted to be engagedbythe stock as the same leaves the sticker A. When the said carriage'ismoved the required distance a cutolr" mechanism indicated in itsentirety at D serves` to cut oil. a section of the stock and dischargethe same and to permit the carriage to reassume its normal position.

vThe base B consists primarily of tvvo rails 13 and 14 Which are.connected together at the tx'vo ends by cross members 1 5. rThese railshaveformed integral With'them Webs 16 'andy 17 which arev all connectedtov` a bracket 4 18" forn'ied yat the enlarged ends oi? said webs' asclearly 'shown' in Figure l'. The entiren structure .together With a`plate 19 is bolted to' the portion 11 of sticker A by means oit' bolts20 S0" that said rails 13 and with their surfaces below the level of thetable so Vthat the stock in leaving the sticker passes above and alongthe same.

formed with a boss 3l by yThe carriage C consists of a frame positionedover and above the base B which trame comprises two rails 21 and 22correspending to the rails l3 and lll of the base B. rl'hese rails areconnected together at one end by a bar 3 and attheir other ends by aplate 2li all of which are formed integral. Along the undersides of therails 2l Vand 22 and upon the Vupper surfaces ot the rails 13 and le are'formed oppositely facing V- shaped grooves 25 and 26 in which arepositioned a number otballs 2H for mounting vthe carriage C to permitthe same to travel along the base B. The various balls 27 are heldproperly spaced by a ball retainer 23 positioned between the two railswhich is oi' ordinary construction. lVith thisy arrangement the carriageC may move longitudinally ot the supporter base B towardlor away fromthe sticker A in a manner to be presently described'.

'Upon the forward end of the carriage C is mounted the cutter l) whichis best shown in Figures 2, 3 and d as illustrated. Upon the exteriorsurface of rail 2l is 'formed a projection 29 which extends outwardlybeyond the same. An arm 30 which carries the cutting member of thedevice extends completely across the carriage C and is means of whichthe same is pivoted to the-projection 29 by means et .a bolt 32 passingtherethrough. To the arm 30 is attached a tool steel cutting knife 33which is rigidly bolted to the tace of said arm 30 by means ot Sflll'lepressuremay be transmitted trom said arm tothe cutter in. the operationof the device. Foradjusting the cutting knife 33 a numbeil ot set screws3G are employed which are screwed into the arm 30 immediately below thescrews By iii-st setting the screws 36 in the proper position and thentightenening upon the screws 3il the knife 33 may be adjusted so thatthe same comes in proper engagei'nent with the complemental cuttingmember of the cutter. The complemental cutter cooperating` with theknife 33 consists of a shear member or knife 33 which is rigidly securedto the portion 23 of the carriage C by means `ot bolts 37. This cutterrests upon a plate 39 positioned Aupon the lower side of the trainemember 23 and secured thereto by screws or bolts Ll0. es the cuttingtakes place the pressure exerted upon the cutting member 38 istransmitted through the bolts 37- and through the plate 39 to thecarriage C. As' before stated,.the imite 33 in 'ecnjunctio'n'with thecutter 33 forms a shear which is adapted to shear or out oila sectionsot the stock as the same is passed through the machine.

The structure tor feeding the stock into the machine consists of twoguides illustrated at E and F. The device illustrated at E is attachedto the plate 19 and consists of two horizontal plates 4l and 42 securedtogether at their ends by means of separators 43, all ofl which arearranged with curved edges ist by means of which the stock may bereadily directed'into said guides as the same approaches the cutoffmechanism.

The guide le is positioned upon the for-f ward end of the. carriage Cand is attached to the member 23 thereof. This guide consists ot a platewhich has secured to its ends two separators r6 which in turn areattached to the upper surface of the/member 23, which in this instanceforms the other 5- portion of the G'ui de. rlhe stock in leavingrr theguides E is immediately directed into 'they guide F where the same isled to the cutoff device D previouslyreterred to. As will be noted, thestock passes over the upper surj face of the member 23 and over theupper edge ol the cutter 33 where, when a certain length of stock haspassed, it becomes sev-` ered by the knife 33 in a manner to bepresently described` For preventing the stock 'from backing or reversingI provide a device illustrated in Figure 4C. This device consists ot aroller 47 having trunnions 43 formed at the extreme ends'ot the same.This roller .passes through an opening 49 in the plate 45 and engagesagainst thev upper surface ot the stock or member 23 of carriage C. inits engaging position the roller t? is of such a size that the trunnions43 project above the surface of the plate 45. Immediately back ot theroller is arranged a .vent plate 5U against which the roller e? mayextend. This plaie is secured to plate e5 by means ot screws as clearlyshown in Figure 2. Two slirings pivotally attached, at one end 'to thetrunnions L8 and at their other ends to two screws 53 secured to theplate serve to hold the roller 47 at all times in contact with the bentplate 50. Y lli/*hen the stock 140 is ted through the device inthedirection indicated by the arrow in Figure el. the roller l? is forcedaway from the surface ot the member 23 and the plate 50 and rotatesfreely, permitting` the stock to reaoily travel through the machine..'When, on. the other hand, the travel ot the stock reverses indirections, the roller t7 immediately becomes wedged between the plateand the member 23 securely clamping the stock against the same member 23and preventing the travel of the stock in the wrong direction.

For operating the cutter structure is provided which is operated `by a.shaft 5e journalled in abearing 55, attached to the mi CGK Legame e)rail of carriage C., Thisvshatt entends outWardlg7 Ibeyond the .said,carriage 4and above the .samein the vicnityot the ,p1 otrudingendsl 'of'the arm 13,0. UpOn tht? extrem-e lend of this shaft Vis mounted aflanged plate ,56 which has eccentrlcally positioned upon ita crank arm57. This crank arm is adaptedto operate Within ,a slot`58 formed along'the extreme en dltlof the'arm 3 0 which serves as a gnideivavtordirecting` the movement ot the same. lt can readilyhe seen that as theshaft el is lrotated the crank 5'? causes the forward pon tionl of thearm 30 to-he raised np and down and t0 he oscillated about iits pivot,oint on the holt 32 so that .D Knit-e 3 3 may cooperate with thecutting member 3.8 te sever theseetionsof st-oclrns the seine 1srequired. VTo .rigidly guide vthe movement oit' .the iolnfard end Glotfthe arm a .ven tical Yguidevvay 5 9 isemployed `Whieh rigidly'holtedto tharail 22 otcarriage G by means oifholts #Thisgnideway isftormedwith vertical .slot GO'vthronghwhich the forward ,portion 6l of armSOexten'ds. .A bearing 62 is `positioned along the interior ot slot G0'and'bearsaganst thesidc otlthe armBQ-so as to holdthe lniifeincut DContact iviththe cutting ineinher'thr l ghout the entire movement of thecutter D. This hearing naar be adjusted vby ,means ,of adjusting screws63 illustrated in Figure l. With the construction shoivnrit can r Lilyhe seenlthat as the stock-is 'edthrougn the guides rE and -F and beneaththe kngte 33 that the same may ,he readilg7 cnt ot'f 1when the shaft 4isoperated A lnV order to regulate .the length ot .the sections ,oit steeksevered from the Vmain piece ot stock a -stop G .is employed whiohis'hest `illustrated'inflrgures 2 andt. -llhigs stop G .comprises anangle -havingahnri- Zontal 1legff anda depending legt?- T0 the upperportion vof this :is secured a plate 68 which is hent lufpwardly at 69to guide Ithe stock as .the sain-e passes ben jh the knife 33 againstlthe dep ending le 67 of said angle. Along' vthe ends of the. plate 68,are .provided vguide members 70 vand 7l Whieh havetheirends curvedoutwardly indicated atY Yi2@similar to the members S5 ottheguide. Aswill hc-notedinithe 0'- ure the upper les: lG5 0f wel@ 65 Pif-ejeyoutwardly beyond the guide in .emhers -70 and 7l which' `arent a Widthequal to .the distance .between Ythe rails `2l vand r22 Carr ringe As.Will he noted', said leg o rleps-neon said rails '21 land andmeybsecurely held in plas-e upnn Vsaid rails by ineens 0 1"- two cla'n'lpsn73' Vand 7:1 lnged `;:to Seidv rails bv meting 0f scr-,erts 172.5, nh'hClamps formed with '-Iabbeted :recesses 7.51m which .the protruding endset leg 56 of @nele @5 project With thisem- Stwtehfeesteekfftreres paleisI1 the :stop As0 -f0rn1ed, whereupon ,the :entire Carriage C is nmoved.along with the ,$06k through l:the engagementof the., sam ,v osaidstoek, ,which ,..continnes until the fstoc iscnt Aoil by theyllrnit'e S3 ,and disehargr f trein-the machine.

For discharging the severed sections of the stock a plate T7 is employedWhiehis fsecured .tothe top of the arm 50 by lmeans off screws "78. Thisplate protrudes out Wardlv beyond arm (30 'and has attached f to it .t\vo depending plnngers-TQ andSQ Whieh h axe secured 'to `theirg ower-endsa shoe 8l. Theplnngers 7 9 md80 are slidahly mounted on the plateY?? and are held in place hy means got ntter pins 82 i*passing throughthexextremeends of the same. 'lheseplungers have Apositioned unen Vthemcoil springs` 83 which are `seated A one @11de-samt shoel nndlatftheirother ends `against the mide ide ot .the plate '77 normali@T holdintheshoe i811 in its lowermost position. As the .cnttger is operated :andthe .end .ot st l vsevered v'from the length of -thestoelc x shoe 81presses uponthe seetionsevered forcing itdowmvardly between the `sideolf the cnttinggnelnbelg and the. legk G6 of stop Gjiuntil the Sem@dro-IDS tem between thee txvo members end lthrough ythe openings inthecarriage C and 'thehase B, `Where the severed'sections forming thefinished produet inaybe directed .to some suitable receiver notllnstrnted in the drawings. tension coilsprlngt ishooledat one end uponan armsecured to .the .extreme .end ot carriage C and at its other endupon a similar 8 6 seenned .to the oppositeend of the hase B. This coilsnring cans-esthe carriage to he ,nrmally lheld toward-the machin1-ffromA vvhiehlthe stock is i d 4As the stoelr` ageslthe stop G the st-ookcansesfth-e enf carriageC andthe cutter@ mounted thereon .tomoveay-longl wtlrthe sto-ek While theA .cuttingoperation is rbeing'performed upon the same as Epreviouslv deserihed .l

@he operation of the shaft lis secured-hy means [of `l`an electric motor86 which is ngonntednpontheplate 2d. Thismotor has a sha-tz .whiehprrotrudes outwardly beyond thesame .and which is Connected by ineens ofanniversal j oint 88 with a shaft S9 substantially in alinementtherewith, which V shaft is gjournalled lin a housing 9() rigidlyboltedto plate Qd by means o jl vbolts 9-1 which vpass through 'a hase 92formed on said hqnsing. /Vithin the honsing' .90 and upon -the shaft')l'is inonnted a Worin gear* The clutch mechanism H consists of laflanged member 97 which is rigidly secured to the end of shaft 511 and asimilar flanged member 98 secured to the end of the shaft 95 whichflangedmembers face each other as clearly shown in Figure 2. The flangedmember 98 is formed with notches 99 along the surface thereof whichnotches are adaptedfto be engaged by a dog 100 slidably positioned in aslot 101 formed on the flanged member 97 which is best shown in Figurev5. `When the dog 100 is drawn back so that the protruding end of thesame lies flush with the face of the flanged member 97 the clutch H isrendered inoperative and the shaft 54 stops.k On the other hand, whenthe dog 100 is projected outwardly beyond the face of the flange 97 thesame is adapted to engage into any of' the notches 99 and to cause theshaft .54 to travel along the shaft 95, which in the operation of themachine is at all times rotating, due to the continuous operation of themotor 85. A coil spring 102, shown in dotted lines in Figure 5,positioned within a groove 103 formed in the ldog 100, seated at one endagainst a leg 10i-i, formed on the flange 97 and at its other endagainst a shoulder 105, formed on said dog, tends to normally hold thedog 100 outwardly beyond the face of the. flanged inember 97 so that theclutch mechanism normally remains in driving position and only becomesreleased by a mechanism to be presently Aexplained when the cuttingoperation performedV upon the stock has been completed.

In order to release the clutch H when the cutting operation is completedand the cut- Y ting arm 80 has been raised the maximum amount, 1 employa structure best illustrated in Figures 1, and 7. Two bearings 106 arerigidly bolted to the side of the rail 22 of carriage C by means ofbolts 107. In these bearings is pivotally mounted a plate 108 which hastrunnions k109 formed on the ends of the same which directly journalledin the bearings G. This plate, as will be noted in Figure 5, ispositioned between the rail 22 and the shaft 54 and upon oscillation isadapted to move toward or away from the clutch mechanism H. Upon theupper portion of the plate 108 is formed an arm 109 which has a pointedfinger 110 bent toward the flanged member 97. i This linger 110 rides ina groove 111 formed in the flanged member 97 Yand is adapted to engageinto a wedge shaped recess 112 formed in the dog 100 as clearly shown inFigure 2. As the shaft 95 rotates the dog 100 being in engagement withthe notch 99V of the,

flanged member 98 causes the flanged'member 97 to rotate with saidshaft. plate 108 and arm y109 formed thereon are in the position shownin Figure 5 finger 110'is se positioned.' that the same etends'dowr intothe groove 111, so that the saine may engage within the recess 112 whichin conjunction therewith has a wedge action which withdraws the dog 100from engagement with the slot 99. As will be noted in Figure 2 the arm109 is formed with a shoulder 113 which directly engages against theside of the dog 100 and positively terminates the movement of the shaft5&1 at a desired time, which is so arranged that the cutter arm is inits uppermost position as shown in Figure 3. 1n this manner the positionof the cutting knife 83 when the movement of the saine terminates isdefinite and determined.V Due to the fact that as long as the arm 109 ispositioned as shown in Figure 5, it is impossible for the shaft 54k totravel further. A compression coil spring 114k is seated at one endagainst a bracket 115 secured to plate24t and at its other end to theside of the plate 108, thereby normally holding the arm 109 as shown inFigure 5 with Y the linger 110 riding along the groove 111.

The plate 108 is recessed over a port-ion of the surface of the same asindicated at 116. At the lower portion of the recessed part 116 belowthe trunnions 120 is pivotally mou-nted by means of la bolt 117 anupwardly eX- tending arm 118 'which is adapted to extend when the partsare arranged as shown in Figure 5 behind the flanged member 98 and inclose proximity thereto. The rrelation of the arm 118 is clearlyillustrated in Figure 6. Upon the periphery of the flanged member 98 isform-ed a number of-cam lugs 119 which, when arm 118 is positioned asshown in Figure 1, are adapted to engage the surface of said arm and ytoforce the same away from the shaft 541. This causes the plate 108 toswine' upon its trunnions 120 which in turn causes the linger 110 of arm109 to move together with the plate and to be dislodged from the groove111 and the engagement of recess 112, thereby releasing-the dog 100,

which immediately on account of the springV 102, comes into engagementwith one of thev notches 99 in the flanged member 98, thereby causingthe shaft 54; to be rotated by liu means of the shaft and the motor 86.

This action continues until the plate 108 is again allowed to resume itsnormal position, resetting the finger into the groove 111. A tensioncoil spring 121 attached at one end to a pin 122 secured to arm 109 andat its other end to a pin 128 secured to arm 118, normally causes thearm 118 to assume "the position shown in Figure 1 in which the surV faceof said arm lies in the path of movement of the cam lug 119.

Tn the inoperative position of the device the arm 118 is held so thatthe sainel is swung awa-y from the path `of travel of the cam lues 119,thereby permitting the finger 110 to ri e in the groove 111 and to holdthedog 100Vv from disengagement of the notches 99 .of the iigeoefreflanged member98. 'T his is accomplishedas follows: Upon the lowerportion of the plate 108 is yjpivoted at 124; a ytrip V125 having ahorizontallever 126 and. a depending finger 127. This lever 126 isformed witha catch 128 which .is adapted to engagea .similar catch 129lformed upon the lower'endxoftie varm 118. Afcoil spring 130 secured toafpin 131 formed 'on the end of thelever 128 and to the plate'108 servesto normally holdthe 4trip 125 with the catch y128 into engagement 128 isdisengaged from the catch 129'to re-l lease arm 118 whichimmediatelymovesto the'position shown in 'Figure 1,"wlier`eupon the samebecomes engagedby'the cam lugs 119, throwing tlie'finger '110 out'oflengage nient with the dog 100,` thereby causing the clutch iieehanism tobecome operative to drive the shaft 54 and operate-the cutter D.

To roperate the trip 125 the following structure is employed: Along theside of the railleis formed a 'i' slot133. To this rail` is attachedadepending plate 132 which is Secured Ythereto by means-of bolts 134attached to the saine in said Tslot 133. the lower 4portion of thisplate are attached two lugs 135 between which is pivotalvly mounted astop arm 136 which normally lies in the path of movement oftheextremeend of the finger 127 of trip 125. A leaf spring 137 secured to theplate -132 normally holds the stop arm 136 in the plane of the Ysaidfinger 127 when the parts are positioned as shown in Figure 5. Y

The carriage 'C in the normal inoperative position is arranged towardythe sticker A, the guide F being relatively `close yto `the guide 'Eand the trip finger l127 depending- -vertically in advance of thefstoparm 136.

is the stock, which has been illustratedat.

1110. is fed from the sticker A through the guides E and F reaches thestop A@the-end of the stock causes the entire carriage with the motorand cutter mounted thereon to travel away from said sticker A againstthe action of the spring 84. This movement con tinues until the sectionofthe stoclposi tioned upon the'stop Gr anjd'the cutter D is severed andremoved from the body of the stock being fed through the -macliine' Assoon as the finger 127vengfages' Vthe stop arm 136 the trip 125 isVoperated asshown in 'Figure 1, the endv off said finger 127 riding upontheentire operation `of cutting ofi tliestoek [has been performed.' lAssooiilastlie vtrip 125 is operated arm 118, which wasn'ormall-y 'heldyout Aof engagement Iwith the eamdugs l119 by; vmeans oiithe .catches.129 Land 128,

immediately returns to theposition shownjin Figure 21 tl'iroug'li theaction offspring 121.

.Assooiias-.tliis varm arises .intliis position v`cainlugs -11'9 .actupon-arm 118, .eausingfpla'te .198 to be-swungfawayfrom .the clutchmechvanisin, diseiigagine' iinger '110 from dog 100 which L immediatelyactuates l.the clutch .mechn .anisnncausing the shafte to rotate.` VTheshaft n/1 being arrangedrelativeto the crani;

arm 571so that-the Vsaine is in its uppermost position, makes a`complete ievolution,cau-singthe cuttingvkiiife'33 todescend and .cutoff the section of the .stock positioned between it and the stop G. theSametime, the shoeL81 forcesthe severed; section iof lthe stoel;downwardly between `.the legj? .of angle and the cutting member 38iwhere the .same is discharged as .previously vde scribed.

pi-is soon as the., cutting operationhas been completed` andthe severedsection of stoel: discharged Afromi the devicepthe Aentire carriageiiirmediately travels back .again .to normal, position on account of'the spring l811 andV other means which will be presently described,andagain assumes its` original position. After ,the carriage :resumesthis posi` tion'the-nger 127 -off trip 125 becomesdi'sengaged from thestop arm 136 bei'ngpositioned inadvance of the same aspreviouslydescribed. After .the parts have become so .arranged the arm p 118.isireset by a structure-best .illustrated-iiiFigiires .6 and 7.Upontlie side ofthe arm118, immediately lbaolr of `the ,flanged memberV97, thel same y,is

.formed 'with a cam 1 11 whichis adaptedito .be engaged byacamdug 14-2issuing outwardly from .theperiphery y ofl r said .flanged member. lAfter tliislcamllug Astrikes the inclined surface of the caini 1411.iarm 118 isv .osoillated uponpits pivot 117 .and forced away from. thepathof travel of the cani lugs 11,9. .Vilheii the .catch 129 lpasses#the lcatch 128 ythe trip `125 jgs-immediately.drawn upwardly Yby meansof V.spring 130 so that arm 118 becomes limmethfateiyh reset andlatched-,in this position. This action peri nits the `spring 114e toforce `the plate 108 back.

again `-into .noriiilal position and vallow "the finger 11,0 of arm 109to drop into the groove .111 which' immediately engagesffth'e recess1112of dog 100,=withdrawing'the said ydog from.. engagement with one ofthe notches 99 of flanged menibe.i98, therebyr ydisengaginfg theclutoh.mechanism4 andh-alting" the 1 movement of the eutter D 4when the .samefreaelies its'nppermost' positionyas.

shown ,in Figure 3. -lflieiithe plate 108is Vfirst swung awa-yfromntlieclutoli mechathe upper surface of the stop arm 13,6Yuii`til eisnt` bythe release of the trip andthe lmovement`of arm i118 inthe pathof .travel pivoted to thesame plate, normally swings outwardly with itand becomes disengaged from the stop lug 136 permitting the lever 126 tomove upwardly due to the action of spring 130. This leaves the trip 125again free to catch and hold the lever 118 when the same has been reset.Upon the resetting VYof this lever as before stated plate 108 assumesits normal position, which naturally brings the linger 127 back towardthe stop arm 136. As before stated, this arm is piv-V riage to beeffectively returned to its starting position. Upon the face. of theguide 59 is a slidably mounted vertically reciprocating plunger 150which is slotted at 151l and has two screws 152 passing through thesamewhich hold saidplunger for sliding movement in a vertical direction.This plunger is adapted to be raised by means ofV a swinging arm 153which is pivotally attached at 154 to a lug 155 Vformed on the uppersurface of the extreme portion 61V of armV 30. This arm extendsdownwardly toward the lower end of the plunger 150 and is forme-d nearits extreme lower end with a dog 156 adapted to engage into a notch 157'at the eXtreme lower end of the plunger 150.

A tension coil'spring 158 secured upon a pin 159 formed on the oppositeend of arm 153 and to another pin 160 issuing outwardly froin the lug155 causes the armV 153 to be at all times forced against the plunger150 so that dogv 156 willY normally engage thenotch 157. lt can readilybe seen that as the cutter arm 30 is reciprocated by means Vof the crankarm 57 that the 'swinging arm 153 is caused to be raised and lowered and1 when the plunger 150 is in its normal posi- Ytion is caused to beraised along with the arrn153 through the engagement of the dog 156thereon with the notch 157 in said plunger. The plunger 150 serves toapply tension to a spring whichy is indicated at Y161 and which assiststhe spring 84 to return the carriage positively and quickly to itsoriginal position. This spring 161 is a tension coil spring 'and issecured at one end to apin 162 which forinls a shank of the 'bolt 107used for securing the bar 106 to the carriage C. The other end of thespring 161 is secured to a cable 163 which passes below a pulley 164pivoted by means of a bolt 165 to the'web 17 of the base B. The cable163 passes beneath the pulley 164 and upwardly where the same isattached at 166 to the lowermost portion of the plunger 150. When theplunger 150 is in its lowermost position the spring 161 is practicallyslack and exerts no appreciable tension upon the carriage E. When,however, the plunger 150 is raisedby means of the arm 153 during thecutting operation of the stock, the tension is immediately applied tothe spring 161 which, together with the tension in spring 84 causes thecarriage to be practically instantaneously returned to its normalposition.l ln Figures 1 and 3 the parts have Vbeen illustrated with theplunger 150 in its uppermost position and tension having been, appliedto spring 161 which is just ready to draw the carriage back again to itsnormal position.

ln order to relieve the tension upon spring 161 when the` carriagereaches its normal position the arm 153 is formed with adepending iinger167 which is adapted to engage a cam 168 formed on the lowermost portionof a plate 169 which is secured to the rail 14 by means of bolts 170secured to f the T slot 133. This plate 169 is so positioiied that whenthe carriage arrives at its normal'position said cam 168 engages thefinger 167 swinging the arm 153 outwardly so as to disengage the dog 156from the notch 157 of plunger 150. rlhis immediately ref leases plunger150, which through the action of spring 161 causes the same to be drawnto its lowerniost position, thereby releasing the tension upon the saidspring 161 and resetting the device so that the same moves l freelyforward as the end of the stock again engages the stop mechanism Grpreviously described. The spring 161. thereupon remains slack until thecutter arm 30 is again moved to out off the stock, whereupon the arm153'is caused to descend, the dog 156 again engaging in the notch 157and raising the plunOer 150upwardly, thereby again applying tension tothe spring 161,*

which causes the carriage C to be rapidly i'eturned to normal position.

For absorbing the shocks imparted tothe plunger when the same isreleasedV by thev cam 168 l form the plunger 150 with a head 171 securedthereto, which'extends over the y t A Vpin .Y

uppermost portion of the guide 59.

172 oasses throuOh this head and is secured i to the uppermost portionof the guide 59. Upon this pin is mountedarubber bumper 173 which isadapted to be engaged by the ing the movement of the carriage C l employa dash pot 74 which may be of ordinary construction and which isattached to the rear end-of cross member 15 of Vbase B. 1'

.head 171 as the plunger 150 is released.

This dash pot has not been illustrated in detail but is of usualconstruction, being formed with a cylinder having a piston movablewithin the same ot which the piston rod issuing outwardly therefrom isindicated at 175. Upon the extreme end of the plate 24 is positiond arearwardly extending arm 176 which is secured thereto by means ot bolts177 This arm has a depending bracket 178 secured to the extreme endthereof to which is attached an adjusting screw 179 adapted to engagethe protruding end .of the piston rod 175 or" dash pot 174. When thecarriage is released and caused to return by spring 161 the screw 179engages the piston rod 175 actuating the dash pot 174 which cushions themovement ot the entire carriage and brings the same to rest lwith aminimum amount of shock or jar.

To prevent the carriage from rebounding after the saine enga-ges thedash pot 174 employ a belt 180 which is directly attached to thecarriage C. This belt passes over a pulley 181 pivotally mounted uponthe end ot the plate 19. The belt 180 extends downwardly over thispulley where the same has attached to it a counter weight 182 shown indotted lines in Figure 1. This counter weight keeps the adjusting screw179 in contact at all times withthe piston rod 175 after the carriagehas been released and first engages the same. In this manner thecarriage is prevented from rebounding and the same comes quickly andeffectively to a halt so that the carriage becomes immediately reset toagain become operated upon by the engagement of the freshly severed endof the stock upon the stop member G.

The operation ot the device may be brieilyk stated as tollows: ldlhenthe carriage is in its normal position the same is positioned as closeto the sticker A as required. vthe plunger 150 being in its lcwermostposition and the springI 161 being released and slacked. ln thisposition the piston'rod 175 oiE dash pot 174 is being held in its innermost position against the action ot the spring within said dash pot byContact with the adjusting lscrew 179 ot carriage C, and is so held dueto the action ot' spring 84 and counter weight 182. At the same time thecutting mechanism D is positioned shown in Figure 8 with the shaft 54arrested with the crank arm 57 in its uppermost position. lT-.lithshat't 54 as illustrated tliearin 109 isso positioned that the linger islodged within groove 111, the dog` 190 being in engage; nient with thesaid finger 110 holding the said dog out of engagement with the notches99 and permitting the flanged member'98 to rotate 'freely witlithe motor8G. While the parts are so arranged the arm 118 is held in its outermostposition by means ofthe trip 125 which engages the catch 129 formedthereon. As the stock Visv ted Figure through the two guides E and .andbeneath the raised cutter 38 the same coince in contact with the portion67 ot stop il causing the entire carriage C, with the'mechanisni mountedthereon, to travel away-troni the sticker A upon the base B. 'As thecarengages the arm 186 which releases arm 118 permitting it to take theVposition,shown in gages this arm forcing the plate 108 rearwardly sothat the linger 110 is disengaged from ythe dog 100. rlhis permits saiddog to cooperate with the notches 99, which cause the .shaft 54 torotate together with the -f shaft 95. The rotation ot shaft 54 causesthe cutter 38 to cooperate with the shear member 88 and tosever theprotruding portion of the stock positionef between said shear member.and the stop vo7. As thisl cutter descends downwardly the` shoe 81causes the severed portion of the stock to be discharged through themachine. rlhe movement of the cutter arm 30 downwardly causes the arm153 to also travel downwardly which, when it reaches its lowermostposition, engages the plunger 150 carrying the same upwardly. vTherotation ot shaft continues until the caniV 142 engages 'the cam suriace141 which automatically resets the arm 118. As soonas theplate 108 ismoved trip passes outwardly beyond the stop arm 136 being thenLinposition to catch and hold the-arm 118. As soon asl this armis .movedout offeiiefageinent with the cams 119 the ,finger 110 drops back intogroove 111 The freely rotate as betere. As vsoon as the severed pieceoitstockl has been discharged and the plunger raised, tension is appliedtothe spring 161 which causes the carriage to quickly return to itsnormal-position. As soon as armf158 engages cam 158 the tensionon sp1ing 151'is immediately released and the carri-age comes to a dead stop,which asy heitere brought ont is -lnoughtrv about through the action otthe weight 182 and the dash pot 174. l

The advantages ot my. linvention areniz-inifest. The machine isabsolutely yautomatic in theV cutting o of the sections of stock at thedesired length. By adjustingthe stop any length of sections can'be cutoli within the range of thedevice Since the entire `cutoil;7 mechanismismovable as a. unit, it is practically impossible tor the, saire tobecome inoperable, since `the transmission ot the torce necessary toetectthefseverance ot*A the stock does .not take place through any fixedportion of .the machine. i At the same 1. `The cam member l119 now en--riage C travels the portion 127 of trip 125 same may be used Withdifferent machines if desired. ln the actuation of the cutoffl mechanismthe direct engagement of the y. stock With the stop causes4 the same tobe operated. 71th my invention, however, the

stock in engaging the stop merely serves to release the trip mechanismwhich functions to set in operation the cutoff mechanism to effect theseverance of the stock as desired. By means of the auxiliary spring andthe tensioning device associated therewith the carriage supporting thecutoff mechanism is quickly and effectively returned to rest in itsnormal position. The device may also be used for trimming sections ofstock as Well as cutting off the same.

While l have illustrated my cutting off mechanism associated with asticker wherein material is run through practically continuously,one'piece after another, obviously my cutting device can be equally Welladapted to other devices Where a cutoff means of a similar nature isrequired.

An important feature of the invention resides in the means of operationof my device by the material coming through the sticker or other machineso that equal lengths of material are cut oft automatically and insynchronism with the operation of the sticker or other machine to whichmy cutting device it attached. The motor on my cutting device operatescontinuously-and While it has not been illustrated in the Vdrawingsobviously it can operate a saw or other cutting mechanism whichisequivalent in function to the cutting knife illustrated in thedrawings.

ihe automatic operation of my device is quite important in that thedevice is mounted upon a carriage and is automatically positioned toengage With the edge of the stock coming through the machine in which mydevice is attached. means is very vessential to prevent any chatteringwhich might interfere With the operation of the device to which mymachine is attached when the cutting mechanism is released automaticallyinto position to engage the edge of tl e material coming out ofthmachine after a portion of the same has been cut off and discharged outof the path of movement of the material coming through the sticker orother machine.

vby other means and applied-to uses other than those above set forthWithin the scope of the following claims.

Then the retarding l claim:

l. A cutoff machine comprising a car-- riage, a cutoff mechanism mountedthereon, said carriage being adapted to be advanced by th-e engagementof the stock passing through the machine therewith, means for operatinglsaid cutoff mechanism to sever sections of stock from' the bodyk thereofand means for discharging said sev-ered sections of stock through saidcarriagel to permit the to be returned to normal position by saidresilient means and means for holding` said carriage from reboundingupon arriving at its normal position. f

3. A cutoff machine comprising a movable carriage, a cutoff mechanismmounted thereon, means adapted to be engaged by the stock passingthrough said machine for advancing the carriage in the direction oftravel of the stock, resilient means for Vreturning the carriage tonormal position, vmeans for actuating said cutoff mechanism to sev-er asection of stock and to permit said carriage to be returned to normalposition by said resilient means and a Weighted member forholding saidcarriage from rebounding when the same reaches its normal position.

'-l. A cutoff machine comprising a movable carriage, a cutoff mechanismmounted thereon, means adapted to be engaged by the stock passingthrough said machine for advancing the carriage in the direction of thetraveling ing the carrime to normal position, mea a for accelerati g thereturn of said carriage to normal position and means for rendering saidaccelerating means inoperable upon the travel of said carriage in thedirection of travel of said stock.

5. A. cutting device associated With a con-Vv tinuously operatingmachine adapted to feed V Lmeans for operating the cutting means` of thestock, resilient means for returntl i) liu means for automaticallyconnecting said f cutter, operating means With said cutter means andmeans for 'automatically returning said cutting device into position toengage the material at the edge ivhere lit has just been severed,whereby the cuttingoii operation may berepeated tok cut off the materialin predetermined lengths continuously as it is passed out of the machineto which said cutting device is connected.

6. An automatic cutter including a movable carriage, means forsupportingsaid carriage, a motor mounted upon said carriage, a cutting member,means for intermittently connecting said motor and cutter means forrctarding the movement of saidv carriage to hold it against the materialcoming out of a machine to which said cutting device is attached tocause the material to move said carriage, means for automaticallyreleasing the connecting means between saidmotor and cutter to cut thematerial moving said carriage in predetermined lengths, means :Forreturning the carriage into position to be again moved by the materialto be cut off and means for retarding the backward movement of saidcarriage to preventl chattering and rebounding of said carriage so thatthe material will be engaged without jar to permit it to move thecarriage freely into cutting position.

7 A cutting device including av carriage adapted to support an electricmotor which is adapted'to be operated continuously, a

cutter mountedupon said carriage, means connecting said. cutter withsaid motor,

Vmeans for holding said connecting means normally out of operatingposition, means adapted to automatically cause said connect` ing meansto operate said cut-tercto cut the material being continuously fed froma machine and means adapted to reposition said cutting device so thatthe carriage of the same will be moved by the material to be cut o into:t new position to continuously cut portions o of the continuouslymoving. material. Y

l8. Anl automatic cutter including a slidable carriage,l means forsupporting vsaid carriage, aemoto'r, a cutter means for intermittentlyconnecting said cutter with said motor, said carriage with the motor andcutter being adapted to be moved into cutting position by the materialwhich the cutter is adapted to sever and means forvrepositioning thecarriage without jar against the continuously vmoving material, beingcut oil' intermittently by the cutter to automatically operate thecutter by the continuous operation of the material which moves thecarriage. e

LYTTON J. SHIELDS

